Cotton-gin.



No. 731,273. PATBN'TED JUNE 16, 1903.

J. BRANDON. I COTTON GIN.

v APPLIOATION FILED JULY 24, 1901.

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No. 731,273. PATBNTBD JUNE 16, 1903..

J. BRANDON.

COTTON GIN.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 24, 41.901.

No Munn.. 2 SHEETS-sum1' 2.

By h ATTO Patented J une 16, 190'3.

NITED STATES-.PATENT OFFICE. e

JAMES BRANDON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

COTTON-GIN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 731,273, dated June 16.1903.

Application filed July 24,1901. Serial No. 69,481. (No model.)

To MZZJUl/om, it may concern: l

Beit known -that I, J AMES BRANDON, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, in theVcountyand State of' New York, have invented a new and ImprovedCotton-Gin, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved. cotton-ginfor readily ginning cotton without kinking or otherwise injuring thefiber.

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations ofthe same, as will be fully described hereinafter and then pointed out inthe claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in thevaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in whichsimilar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all theviews.

Figure l is a side elevation of the improvement. Fig. 2 is a transversesection of the same on the line 2 2 of Fig.V l.' Fig. 3 is aneulargedsectional side elevation of vthe same on the line 3 3 of Fig. 4. Fig. elis a sectional plan view of the same on the line 4 4 of-Fig. 3. Fig. 5is an enlarged plan View of part of the carrier apron orbelt. Fig. 6 isa sectional side elevation of the same. Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectionalside elevation of the improvement, showing the stripper in a lowermostposition; and Fig. Sis a diagrammatic view showing the elliptical pathof the gyrating comb in front of the'stripper-blades.

The improved cotton-gin is mounted on a suitably-constructed frame A,supporting the breast-beam B, in front of which operatethe upper andlower blades O C' of a reciprocating stripper, and at the rear of thesaid breastbeam is located the ginning-roller D, over which passes theendless apron or belt E for carrying off the lint. In front of thestripper gyrates the comb F in an approximately elliptical path, (seeFig. 8,) and the comb, as well as the lower stripper-blade O', extendsthrough an opening G'in the'inclined bottom G2 of the hopper G, arrangedin front of the breastbeam B and adapted to contain the cotton to beginned. The blades C and C of the stripper are spaced apart and aresecured at their ends to slides O2, mounted to slide in verticalbearings 1A', arranged on the frame A, the upper portion of the blades Cextending under a guide C2, secured to the breast-beam and serving toguide the blade C and prevent it fromswinging or bending. Areciprocating motion is given to the stripper, and for this purpose theslides O2 are connected at their lower ends with eccentric-rods vH' ofeccentrics'H, secured on a transverse shaft H2, journaled in suitablebearings arranged on the 'main frame A. This shaft H2 is rotated bypulleys H3 H4 and a belt H5 from a driven shaft I, extendingtransversely and journaled in suitable bearings on the frame A. On theshaft I is secured a pulley I', connected by a belt with othermachinery, so that when the shaft I is rotated a rotary motion is givento the shaft H2 at a speed exceeding that of the shaft I. The shaft lcarries eccentrics l2 and I2, of which the eccentrics l2 are preferablytwo in number and are connected by eccentric-rods I4 with arms F',rigidly carrying at their free ends the comb F. The arms F' swing on apivot J, pivotally engaged by the eccentricrod I5 of the eccentric 13,and the pivot J is hung on links J', f ulcruinedA at J2 on a bracket A3,secured to or formed on the main frame A.

The ginning-roller D consists, essentially, of a metallic tubular coreD', secured on the shaft D2, and on the core is secured the body D3, ofrubber or other elastic material of suitable vthickness to readily yieldfor the purpose hereinafter more fully described. The shaft D2 extendstransversely and is journaled in bearings D4, held longitudinallyadjustable on the frame A to bring the drum D and its apron or belt Einto proper relation to the segmental surface B on the lower 'end of therear face of the breast-beam B. (See Fig. 3.) The endless apron or beltthereof is provided at its outer surface with oblique bars E', spacedapart and preferably formed of flexible strips of a suitable fabric withthe sides of the strips turned under, as is plainly shown in Fig. 6, torest on the outer surface of the apron or belt, the ends of the stripsand their turned-under parts being fastened by stitches 'E2 to the apronor belt, so as to securely hold the strips in place. The rear end of theendless apron or belt E passes over a roll K, secured on a shaft K',extending transversely and j ournaled in bearings K2, held longitudi-IOO nally adjustable on the main frame A to permit of giving the desiredtension to the apron or belt E. The ginning-roller D is rotated at aspeed considerably less than that given to the shaft I, and for thispurpose the shaft D2 in the said ginning-drum carries a gear-wheel L inmesh with a gear-wheel L', secured on a shaft L2, journaled in suitablebearings on one side of the fralne A, and on the said shaft L2 issecured a pulley L2, connected by a belt with other machinery forimparting a rotary motion to the shaft L2 and by the gear-wheels L and Lto the shaft D2 of the ginning-roller D. The shaft D2 carries a pulleyN,connected by a belt N with a pulley N2, secured on the shaft K', so thatwhen the ginning-roller is rotated a like rotary motion is given to the`roll K to insure proper travelingof the apron' or belt. The apron orbelt E is engaged by a brush O for -removiu g the lint from the saidbelt or apron, and this brush O is secured on a transverse shaft O',journaled in suitable bearings on the frame A. (See Fig, l.)y A pulleyO2 is secured on the shaft O and is connected by a crossed belt O3 witha pulley O4 on the shaft I, so that when the latter is rotated a rotarymotion is given Yto the brush O to rotate the latter at ahigher rate ofspeed than that given to the roll K, so that the brush readily brushesthe lint off of the apron or belt E, which travels in the direction ofthe arrow a. (See Fig. l.)

It is understood that when the machine is in operation and the shaft Iis rotated the shaft H2 is driven at an increased rate of speed, and theeccentrics H and their rods H impart a reciprocating motion to theslides C2 and the stripper-blades C and C'. The parts are soproportioned that the upper edge of the lower blade'C when at the endofits upward movement stands a short distance below the lower edge B2 ofthe breast-beam B, (see Fig. 3,) while the upper blade C is a distanceabove the said edge B2. VVlhen the stripper is in a lowermost position,as shown in Fig. 7, then the lower edge of the upper blade C is adistance below the edge B2 and the upper edge of the lower blade C is ator near the upper edge of the cross-beam A4, forming part of the mainframe A.

The operation is as follows: rlhe seed-cotton is placed in the feed boxor hopper G and slides down the inclined bottom thereof and passesthrough the opening between the stripper-blades C C to the travelingilexible apronor belt E. As the surface of the belt or apron E is muchrougher than the concave surface B of the breast-beam, it is evidentthat the fibers of the cotton coming in contact with the rough surfaceof the traveling apron readily ad here to the latter and are drawn underand past the smooth concave surface B' of the breastbeam. Thecompressibility of the elastic roller D permits the latter to yieldsufficiently to let the maximum quantityof lint to pass between theapron and the surface B but the rollerD does not yield enough to let thehard seed pass through. The lint is carried rearwardly on the upper runof the belt or apron to be iinally brushed oif by the revoluble brush O.stood that by having the strips E of the apron or belt E close to thesurface B the lint passed upon the apron and carried by the latter alongthe said surface causes a strong pull on the fiber, so that thestripper-blades C and C can readily act on the cotton at the edge B2 toloosen and remove the seeds without kinking or otherwise injuring thefiber. Now while the cotton is engaged by the apron or belt F. below thebreast-beam and while the stripper is upward the lower stripperblade Ctakes hold of the surplus cotton between the belt E and the comb F torelieve the said belt, and consequently Athe drum D, at the same timepushing the cotton up and loosening the seeds therein. blade U does notmove clear up to the edge B2 of the beam B, it does not cut off thecotton passing to the apron or belt nor does it kink the fiber on theedge B2 of the beam, and hence the fiber is not injured and passes inits natural state to the apron or belt.

. When the stripper moves downward, the upper blade C pushes the seedsout of the cotton now passing under the edge B2 of the breast-beam,which cotton had previously been pushed up onto the beam by the lowerstripping-blade C', as above explained. As the lower edge of the upperblade C does not come down to the upper edge of the crossbeam A4, it isevident that the feeding of the cotton from the hopper G to thetravelingapron Eis not interrupted, and consequently the ginning-rollerand. its belt can work continuously without danger of becoming over- Asthe lower` lt is underv crowded and without losing hold of the lint.

The comb F receives a gyrating motion, as previously mentioned, by theaction of the eccentrics I2 I2, the links J and the arms F, so that theteeth of the comb move a'pproxt mately in an elliptical path in front ofthe stripper and within the hopper G, as will be readily understood byreference to Fig. S. The comb F -in going upward close to thestripper-blades C C combs the cotton out of the stripper, and in goingdown it allows free feeding of the cotton to the strippers withoutdanger of drawing the cotton down through the opening G in the inclinedbottom G2. As the teeth of the comb F are spaced considerable distancesapart, (see Figs. 2 and 4,) the lint held on the apron E is drawn easilybetween the teeth of the comb.

The breast-beam B is preferably held vertically adjustable on the frameA, so as to bring the surface B in proper relation to the ginning-drumand its apron, and for this purpose the breast-beam is provided withscrewrods B2, engaged at their upper ends by nuts B4, resting onopposite sides on brackets B5, secured to the main frame A. (See Figs. 1and 2.) The breast-beamis in frictional contact a distance considerablein excess of the len gthy of the largest fiber to insure proper actionof the apron and breast-beam without rcquirin a very fine or closeadjustment of the parts referred to.

The above-described form-assures a uniform pull or tension upon thecotton fibers throughout their entire length, thus diminishing thepossibility of injuring the staple by abrasion, if not, in fact,entirely eliminating said possibility'.

Simultaneously with the operation of drawing the seed-cotton under thebreast-beam B the seeds contained therein are arrested in their travelat the lower edge of said breastbeam B, (see 132,) and while in thisposition are rapidly agitated by the reciprocating stripperblades C andC. It will be fully understood -that the seeds are agitated from bothtop and fiber from undue strains or other harsh treatment during theprocess of separating the [ibers from the seeds. The agitations of theseeds are very rapid, approximately two thousand (2,000) per minute,thus assisting to produce the maximum quantity of lint, while preservingto the staple its natural strength.

It will be observed by reference to the accompanying drawings that thefeed-aperture is never entirely closed, the feeding being, in fact,practically constant.

Having thus described my invention, I' claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent- 1. Aroller cotton-gin, having a soft elastic roller,a flexible belt traveling over said roller, a breast-beam in contactwith said ilexible belt, a stripper having an upper and a lower bladearranged in front of the breast-beam and flexible belt and a comb infront of the stripper, as set forth.

2. Arollercotton-gin having a stripperconsisting of an upperstripper-blade and a lower stripper-blade spaced from the upperstripperblade to form an opening for the passage of the cotton to theginning-drum, the said blades moving in unison up and down, a comb infront of the stripper, and mechanism for imparting gyrating movement tothe comb, as set forth.

3. A roller cotton-gin having a breast-beam, a ginning-roller in closeproximity thereto, a reciprocating stripper in front of the breastbeamand drum and consisting of spaced stripping-blades, a comb in front ofthe said stripper, and means for imparting gyrating movement to thecomb, as set forth.

4. A roller cotton-gin having a breast-beam formed at its rear face witha segmental surface, a soft elastic roller, an apron passing over theroller and infrictional contact with the said segmental surface of thebeam, and a reciprocating stripperin front of the said beam andconsisting of spaced strippingblades,

the lower blade in its upward stroke moving close to the edge of thebreast-beam, as set forth.

5. A roller cotton-gin having a soft elastic roller, a flexible belttraveling over said roller, a breast-beam having a segmental surface inclose frictional contact with the said flexible belt, a reciprocatingstripper, and a comb in front of the stripper, as set forth.

6. A roller cotton-gin having a breast-beam formed at its rear, lowerface withasegmental surface, a ginning-roller, an apron passing over thesame and in frictional contact with the said surface, and areciprocating stripper in front of the said beam and consisting of anupper and a lower blade, the lower blade in its upward stroke movingclose to the edge of the breast-beam, and the upper blade in itsdownward movement passing the said edge of the breast-beam, as setforth.

7. A roller cotton-gin having a breast-beam formed at its rear, lowerface with a segmental surface, a ginning-roller, an apron passing overthesame and in frictional contact with the-said surface, a reciprocatingstripper in front of the said beam and consisting of an upper and alower blade, the lower blade in its upward stroke moving close to theedge of the breast-beam, Vand the upper blade in its downward movementpassing the said edge of the breast-beam, a comb in front of the saidstripper, and means for imparting a gyratin g motion to the comb, as setforth;

8. A roller cotton-gin having a traveling surface for receiving andvcarrying off the lint, a stripper, a gyrating comb in front of thestripper, and means for imparting a gyrating motion to the comb, as setforth.

9. A roller cotton -gin having a ginningroller, a reciprocating stripperhaving an upper and a lower stripper-blade operating in conjunction withthe said roller, a comb in IIO jacent to the said traveling surface, thestripper consisting of an upper and a lower stripper-blade, a comb infront of the said stripper, and means for imparting a gyratin g motionto the comb, as set forth.

l1. A roller cotton-gin comprising a breastbeam, a traveling surface atthe said breastbeam to receive and carry off the lint, a stripperreciprocating at the said breast-beam adjacent to the said travelingsurface, the'stripper consisting of an upper and a lower stripper-blade,a comb in front of the said stripper, means for imparting a gyratingmotion to the comb, and a feed-hopper lfor delivering the cotton to thesaid comb, as set forth.

l2. A roller cotton-gin having a traveling surface for receiving andcarrying off the lint, a stripper for acting on the lint passing to thetraveling surface, a comb for removing the lint from the stripper, andmeans for impartin g a gyratin g motion to the comb, as set forth.

13. A roller cotton-gin having a giuningdrum, a stripper device, a comb,and means for imparting a gyrating movement to the said comb, the meanscomprising arms carrying the comb, a link on which the arms arefulcrumed, and eccentrics of Which one is connected With the arms andthe other With the link, as set forth.

14. A roller cotton-gin having a traveling belt comprising an endlessapron, rollers over which the apron passes, and oblique bars spacedapart and secured on the outer surface of'said apron, the said barsbeing made of flexible material, as set forth.

15. A roller cotton-gin having' a traveling belt comprising a fiexiblebody and oblique bars secured on the outside thereof, the bars beingformed of flexible strips of a fabric material Wi th the sides turnedunder and onto the surface of the belt-body, and rollers over which thebelt passes, as set forth.

16. A roller cottongin having a traveling belt, comprising a fiexiblebody and oblique bars secured on the outside thereof, the bars beingformed of flexible strips of a fabric material with the sides turned under and onto the surface of the belt-body, and stitches along the sidesof the strips for securing the latter to the said body,.and rollers overwhich the belt passes, as set forth. I

17. A roller cotton-gin having a ginningroller comprising a core, anelastic body on the said core, an apron passing over the roller, a

l stripper adjacent to the apron, a comb in front of the stripper, afeed-hopper for the cotton, and means for removing the lint from theapron, as set forth.

18. A roller cotton-gin having a breast-beam formed at its rear faceWith a segmental surface, a ginning-roller, an apron passing over theroller and in frictional contact With the said segmental surface, areciprocating stripper in front of the said beam and consisting of anupper and a lower blade, a comb in front of the said stripper, armscarrying said comb, links on Which the arms are fulcrumed, and means formoving said arms and links to impart a gyrating motion to the said comb,as set forth.

19. A roller cotton-gin, comprisin g a breastbeam, a traveling surfaceat the said breastbeam to receive and carry off the lint, a stripperreciprocating at the said breast-beam adjacent to the traveling surface,a comb in front of the said stripper, means for imparting a gyratingmotion to the comb, a feed-hopper for delivering the cotton to the saidcomb, and means for removing the lint from the traveling surface, as setforth. e

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JAMES BRANDON.

Vitnesses THEO. G. HosTER, EVERARD B. MARSHALL.

